Leeds United are preparing for a second successive Premier League season under Daniel Farke, who will be looking to strengthen the squad this summer. The club secured a 14th-place finish last campaign and have already begun transfer activity, with Harry Wilson set to arrive from Fulham on a free transfer, Pascal Struijk departing for Brighton, and an improved bid submitted for Southampton's Shea Charles.
Farke may draw inspiration from Leeds' previous free-agent triumphs as he manages his summer spending carefully. Here, we examine three free agents who previously made the switch to Elland Road.
Kiko Casilla
Kiko Casilla made his maiden move overseas by joining Leeds on a free transfer in 2019, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract. The shot-stopper had previously represented Real Madrid, claiming three Champions League titles and the La Liga crown. He also earned one cap for Spain, appearing in a friendly defeat to Germany in 2014.
Casilla featured 62 times across three campaigns for Leeds, recording 23 clean sheets and playing a key role in their promotion to the Premier League during the 2019/20 season. He departed by mutual consent in 2022 and joined Getafe on a one-year contract before retiring in 2023 at the age of 36.
Pablo Hernandez
Pablo Hernandez joined Leeds during their Championship days in 2016 after stints at Swansea City, Valencia and Al-Arabi. The attacking midfielder became a cult figure thanks to his exploits during the 2019/20 campaign, netting vital goals to pile pressure on West Brom at the top of the table.
Across five seasons at Elland Road, Hernandez scored 36 goals and provided 41 assists in 175 appearances, helping Leeds return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence. He was voted the club's Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year three times (2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20). Former manager Marcelo Bielsa praised Hernandez, saying: "He really is a player that improves his team-mates."
Hernandez departed in 2021 to sign for Castellon and retired in 2023 at the age of 38.
Sam Byram
Sam Byram was a homegrown academy prospect who made his Leeds debut in 2012 under Neil Warnock. During his initial spell, the full-back made 141 appearances, scored 10 goals and provided 12 assists. He transferred to West Ham United in January 2016 for around £3.7m, later playing for Nottingham Forest and Norwich City.
Byram returned to Leeds on a free transfer in the summer of 2023. He helped his boyhood club clinch the Championship title during the 2024/25 season and signed a new deal for their top-flight return. However, he managed just five outings last season, four as a substitute, with only 71 minutes in a Carabao Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
